31 August, 2011

I love the earthy, faded grey and brown tones of driftwood. I love the mix of the smooth and rough surface textures and the twisted , gnarly forms that Mother Nature has created. It's a perfect for getting creative with and lends itself to lots of great ideas for the home...think chairs, bedheads, lamp bases, key holders, clothing racks - the possibilities are only limited by our imaginations! Here are a few clever ideas that will add character and personality to any beach house.

30 August, 2011

White shingled, wooden houses with porches, Adirondack chairs, lighthouses, gray slate roofs, American flags, and boardwalks leading to the beach. This is what comes to mind when I think of New England Style. I have never been to the Hamptons or Cape Cod but they are firmly planted in my mind and there is a longing to go there one day and experience the American dream. That part of the world sums up the very essence of the good life to me - the sea, family and friends, dogs, good books, beautiful scenery, perfect houses, good food and wine.... one day I'll get there!

Just a little note to say thanks for helping me get my new blog off to a great start ...I am literally jumping with joy! Thanks for the comments, the lovely feedback, words of encouragement, enthusiasm and for following. I hit the 100 mark on the weekend so I was pretty excited. There's lots of great 'beachy' blogs out there ... full of inspiration ... that have really made me appreciate coastal living!

29 August, 2011

We are getting a spate of warm, sunny Spring-like days and my thoughts are already turning to summer, the beach and outdoor entertaining. I am looking forward to a mini holiday in Queensland with some warm tropical weather just to get an early taste of summer. It's the perfect place for heavenly cocktails, freshly caught seafood and tropical fruits. I can see myself sitting on the deck of a laid back restaurant overlooking the water sipping on a Long Island Iced Tea and tucking into a plate of grilled prawns with a mango and avocado salsa...yum!

28 August, 2011

I am a bit of an old fashioned girl at heart and have visions off me in my white weatherboard seaside cottage living within walking distance of the sea. But having said that, my work as an interior designer is generally very modern. Architects and clients come to me with their clean lines and cutting edge plans which call for a ultra modern, sleek response. Therefore I have developed a love and appreciation of all forms of design and architecture. This house appeals because of the stunning water's edge location; the light filled, bright open spaces and the simple, crisp, clean palette of white and bright blue. The light timber floorboards give it warmth and the extensive use of glass plays on the light and reflections. The over sized model boat is a lot of fun and is a great conversation point.

27 August, 2011

We're a pretty sporty family so we're always on the go. I think it comes with the territory - if you live on the coast you are surrounded by great stuff to do. We have the choice of several beaches, a river and National Parks galore to keep us amused. We can go horse-riding on the beach, kayaking, canoeing and surfing all without too much effort. The new trend is stand up paddle boards so everyone's been keen to give that a go. The kids swim and boogie board all year round despite the icy cold water in winter. We love our beach walks and long bush walks so it's hard to sit still or be indoors when there's so much going on! What's your favourite beach activity?

26 August, 2011

This amazing house belongs to Spanish fashion model and her fiance. Tucked away on the tiny Spanish Island of 'Formentera' it's only a short ferry ride from the party island of Ibiza. Much quieter than Ibizia it attracts a smart and stylish crowd. This lovely rustic beach house embodies the very essence of beach side living : cosy, comfy and simple. Just the right ingredients to chill out and escape from a busy city life! The textured finishes with the splash of colour are perfect for a relaxed weekend with friends. All one needs is a big floppy hat to ward of the sun, a bikini and a sundress!

25 August, 2011

My husband and I flit between Gant and Ralph Lauren for our summer wardrobes. Living down the coast their casual, relaxed style suits our outdoor way of life. I can never get past their flippy summer dresses and my husband lives in their polos and colourful checked shirts. I love the splash of colour but it's hard to get past classic red, white and navy that they do so well. Here's a stylish nautical look that's great for beach side living!

I have always been a fan of Gant, well before they ever launched their womenswear. I have collected their catalogues for years using them as inspiration for holiday photo shoots. It's not just about gorgeous models their catalogues always tell a story that mixes fashion with lifestyle and real people. It's about food, family, beautiful surroundings and my colourful and vibrant photo albums have a lot to thank Gant for!

These snaps were taken at a nearby beach which has a restaurant that juts out over the water. With it's peeling paint it's full of character so much so that a television drama called 'Seachange' was filmed around it and it also played host to my wedding reception. It's a great place for a bit of fishing off the pier, a picnic lunch on the foreshore and the local fish 'n' chips served in paper cones are always a big hit with the kids!